Neymar says he won't leave Santos before World Cup

Neymar says he won't leave Santos before World Cup

Paris, May 10 (EFE).- Brazilian striker Neymar says he will not leave Santos FC prior to the 2014 World Cup in his homeland and denied signing any initial deal with a European club.

In statements to French daily Le Monde, the player said he had no plans to leave the Brazilian club until his contract expires in 2014 and said next year's World Cup is his "main objective, a wonderful moment" for the South American nation.

Neymar said he had not signed a pre-contract with Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona, denying reports from several medial outlets, and added that he still had not decided on an eventual destination in Europe.

He said "several options" were available but refrained from commenting on any of them.

Neymar vowed one day to leave the Brazilian league to "learn" and "improve" his "game, physical strength and fundamentals" in Europe, where most of the world's best players compete.

Neymar is already Brazil's highest-paid player and his salary equivalent to 20 million euros ($26 million) ranks fifth internationally behind only Paris St. Germain's David Beckham, Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Anzhi Makhachkala's Samuel Eto'o, according to France Football magazine.